Letters to Editor June 1, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE JUNE 1, 1895.

Mail Bag.

WANTED – (to prepare way for Socialism in our time).

One Adult One Vote.

Land tax.

Income tax.

State bank.

Shops and Factories Act.

Eight hours day where practicable.

Referendum and Initiative.

Taxation of every person according to ability to pay.

The State to find work for unemployed.

The State to fix a minimum wage.

Free Railways. Free administration of Justice.

The WORKER does not hold itself responsible for the opinions of its correspondents.

M, - Appeared in last week's issue.

F. R. W. BAUNNER – We do, we do.

H., M.L.A. - A catalogue of libels.

AGNOS, Barcaldine, - Better wait awhile.

ANON, Woolloongabba, - Thank you for extract.

W. H. R. - Obliged to you, but somewhat crude.

H. H. - Verse to hand. Letter addressed you at One-mile.

E. T. - Will let you know in about a fortnight. Consulting Secretaries.

W. H. - Summon the policeman for assault, or make a report to the authorities.

RODERICK R. - See issue of March 23, 1895. Full account of the boy leprosy case.

J. F. B, - Copy of patriotic league circular station owners published in last week's issue.

REFORM – Your suggestion shows your enthusiasm. Before we can establish a daily newspaper however, we must be sure of our ground for a decent mixed weekly. Thank you for leaflet.

W. F. - See this week's issue. That gentleman shall not be advertised just yet. We regret to say he is now doing something to justify the assertion that the Church is generally on the side of the capitalist.

W. G. K. - Experience of most newspapers is that when a libel action is being heard, the reliable witnesses either don't come forward or they fail to substantiate anything that will influence the judge or jury in favour of the defendant.

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ED. WORKER – A few notes from abroad. At the last Parliamentary election at Denmark eight Socialists were returned by big majorities against three on the previous election. The cold North begins to get red hot and the sunny South ought to take example by it. Reports from Germany show the movement to be taking firm root in the country districts. In spite of all the fuss raised by the followers of Bismarck on his 80^th birthday, and the threatening attitude of the Coercion Bill (then in preparation) the people on some by-election gave a decided answer by crushing the Bismarckians. In the little Duchy of Saxon, Aitenbury, an election “diet” took place, and three Socialists elected. It is a pleasure to notice how, in every municipal and trades court election, the force of labour are coming to the front rapidly. - Yours, &c., LOUIS GROSS, correspondent secretary Verein Vorwarts, Richmond, 19^th May.

Ed. WORKER – Shearing in this locality has started. With it comes the usual compliment of “talent” Begging and stealing from shed to shed, a great many of whom do no work unless a bit of “scabbing” in strike times. Why does the shearer not close his door on this class of men instead of feeding him for days, and then filling his rations for the road, as he goes away for a week or so to come straight back to repeat the dose. This class of men is the greatest enemy the bushmen have, for whilst staying in the hut they get the names of the men, and when the shed is cut out meet the workers in town and miss no opportunity of shearing the shunning the shearers and rouseabouts. I saw a number of these gentry this year at Charlotte Plains. The rouseabouts' hut was robbed twice, and I believe some rations stolen from the shearers. I am told on good authority that the shearers there (22 in number in the hut) during their first week's shearing gave away one ton of flour and other rations in proportion, yet some of those who had their bags filled at roll-call doubled back twice and three times-not bushmen, bear in mind, but the pea-dodging bat push that are now to be found everywhere in the back blocks. Don't think I am one of the lucky ones who have their legs under the table yet object to feed travellers. All I have is two days' tucker in hand, not A PENNY piece, and no prospect of work of any kind. I would like the bushmen to consider this thoroughly and see if someone could not suggest some way of getting rid of these gentry, who have been in our midst since '91. They are our enemies in more ways than one. Of course the squatter won't try to eradicate the weed, although they occasionally touch him for a bit of rations. Bear in mind, I do not advocate blocking bushmen nor deserving men from the assistance (I may say loans) every worker may be compelled at some time to avail himself of. I know some of the old bushmen will be in arms when they read this, but I hope they will consider it, and I am sure they will agree with me in the main. Anyhow if it sets men thinking the matter over I am satisfied. - E. T., Cunnamulla.

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“Worker” Enlargement Fund.

(In order that friends of the WORKER may not be victimised, no moneys for this fund are acknowledged through the WORKER unless subscribers make a request to that effect.)

J. F. Hopkins, Mossman River, 5s.

Shearers, Boombah station, £1. 7s.

Wm. Dent, Monal goldfield, 5s.

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On Tramp From Mungindi to Charleville.

Left Mungindi first week in April, the first stage being Dureel; there I was given rations – a full one. From Dureel to Noondoo, received rations, but the storekeeper states the company intends to cease giving them away. The next station was Whyenbah, where they were then shearing. We were welcome to meals at both shearers and rouseabouts' huts. Rations are given away at the station store. The cut here is very close, eighty-eighty being the highest tally, shorn by Jacky Dow.

The next place of call was Doondi. Here we only got a short ration We could have flour, and choose between tea and sugar or meat. Then on to Boombal, where we were welcomed at the shearers' hut.

St. George was the next place. Could get no work between St. George and Mungindi. A party of ringbarkers went out to Welltown at £1 weekly. There are a number of horsemen travelling between here and Mungindi, the grass and water being fair.

From the St. George bridge we went on to Bollon, Fernlea is to start shearing on 4^th July. Woolerina has no fixed date. No. 2 Bore, Woolerina, is not yet down. When completed a lot of fencing will be done. George Lochead is in charge of boring party. M'Lellan of Roma is erecting the new station buildings at Woolerina. Bindy Bangy have ringbarkers on at £1 weekly. From Bollon we made Boatman, and were made welcome. Joe Smith and Bluey Thompson, of Currawillinghi, are shearing here.

Then on to Charleville. Not much grass between here and St. George. No. 2 Bore, Boatman, is going on in charge of Paddy M'Kenna. Busaco is fencing on Boatman. Ringbarking is to commence soon. John Raleigh, formerly overseer at Caiwarro and Woolerina, is now managing Murweh. A nice grass rain started early this morning and is still raining. - FINGERPOST.